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Federal government continues to review Iowa’s ACA plan

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September 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government continues to review Iowa’s short-term funding proposal to redirect Affordable Care Act money to lower some people’s health insurance costs.

A representative for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says Iowa’s application for a so-called stopgap measure is complete and a public comment period will run until Oct 19. The federal government says in a letter Tuesday that a decision will be made within 180 days.

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says he’s more optimistic about an approval than he was earlier this month. He says he expects a decision after the comment period but before open enrollment for ACA health insurance coverage begins Nov. 1.

The proposal would use federal subsidies to offer a single, standard insurance plan for Iowa’s individual market under the ACA.